PHILHARMONIC COMMITTEES EDITION WINTER 2018/2019

Mark Your Calendars forSaturday, March 9, 2019!

Soon after invitations were sent out for the Sixth Annual Philharmonic Orchestra Festival, fifteen Orange County high school orchestras quickly submitted their applications, confirming their desire to perform in the world-renown Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. The orchestra festival has developed a reputation of being well run and organized, with qualified adjudicators giving the music director valuable feedback—and 1,000 high school students a memorable experience.

Four high schools have been a part of this festival for all six years: Tesoro, Mission Viejo, Beckman, and Aliso Niguel High Schools. We are also very excited about Irvine High School joining the festival this year for the first time. The remaining ten high schools are Esperanza, Capistrano, El Toro, Huntington Beach Academy for the Performing Arts, Oxford Academy, Trabuco Hills, Los Alamitos, Santa Ana, San Juan Hills, and Marina.

The hard working 2019 Festival Steering Committee includes: Sandi Wright-Cordes, Arden Dombrowski, Jean Felder, Joanne Fernbach, Jan Lawrence, Judy Michel, Patty Reilly, Karen Ridout, Toni Sobel, Mary Chelius and is chaired by Marlene Nielsen. Our adjudicators are Ulli Reiner, Orchestra Director of Poway Unified School District who has been with us for three years, and Michael Powers, guest conductor for the Orange County Youth Symphony.

A comment from a high school orchestra director sums up the impact this event has on his students. “I’m always amazed at how my seemingly composed, poised, and slightly apathetic teenagers always ‘get up’ for this concert and leave the stage with a glow. It’s the highlight of our year!”

Please help us reach our goal of filling the concert hall with an exuberant audience to provide grand applause for the students!

For tickets and the performance schedule, go to the PhilharmonicSociety.org website or purchase tickets at the door the day of the event.

Support the Orchestra Festival — as well as your local high school!

• Plan ahead now and contact your Committee/Group members, friends, and family about supporting the students and giving them an appreciative audience.

• Purchase the $15 ticket online at the PhilharmonicSociety.org website with the high school’s special promo code. Then HALF of the purchase price will go to the high school of your choice!

• Attend the March 9, 2019 festival in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Your ticket allows you to come and go throughout the day from 12:00 to 9:00pm.

• Cheer on these incredibly talented young musicians as they perform. I guarantee it will be an inspiring experience for everyone. Enjoy the day’s program featuring many different composers and the finest of classical music and modern repertoire.

• There will be something for everyone at our High School Orchestra Festival!

Sixth Annual Philharmonic High School Orchestra Festivalby Marlene Nielsen

Mission Viejo High School performs at Orchestra Festival.

President of Th e CommitteesMary Chelius

Editor Jan Lawrence

Graphic Artist Kathryn Berumen

Welcome, Tommy!We would like to welcome Tommy

Phillips to the Philharmonic as the new President and Artistic Director! Throughout his fi fteen years in artistic positions and programming consultancies at orchestras across the country, he is known for his innovative programming ideas, reliability and trust within the classical music industry, and for his capacity for creative ingenuity.

“I am both thrilled and humbled to lead this great institution. My career has been dedicated to building and fostering connections between artists, audience and community. I look forward to sharing exciting programming with the diverse Orange County public, building compelling connections between the artistic community and stellar Philharmonic Society education programs, and to working closely with the dedicated Board, volunteer groups, patrons, and professional staff,” said Phillips.

You may read his entire bio at philharmonicsociety.org.

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Sixty Years of Service and Funby Lisa de Lorimier

The Lido Isle Com-mittee gathered to celebrate 60 years of service and support for the Philharmonic Soci-ety of Orange County. Committee members enjoyed a special anniversary cake and looked through de-cades of memories in scrapbooks and clip-pings. In addition to the installation of new offi cers, they began looking toward the next 60 years!

Not only do the Lido ladies party, they bring the Music Mobile to the Newport-Mesa school children. They drove the van near the front of the Lido community’s

Fourth of July parade to promote the Philharmonic program, with Sousa marches playing from the boom box mounted on the hood of the vehicle. Marching with the Music Mobile were members of the Lido Isle Committee waving American fl ags and happily shouting greetings to their friends and neighbors.

Pictured l to r: Nancy Wimer, Pat Klingensmith, Ellie Yates, Kathy Sangster, Lisa de Lorimier, Evelyn Kroener and Violet Lorenzen.

Front row L-R: Ellie Yates, Judith Longyear, Evelyn KroenerBack row L-R: Donna Martell, Sharon Grimes, Lois Tingler, Virginia Zorayan, Varla Knauss, Violet Lorenzen, Lisa de Lorimier, Kathy Sangster, Nancy Wimer, Marion Pickens, Cynthia Niblo, and Cathy O’Neil

Please “Like” and follow The Philharmonic Committees on Facebook. Get the latest news,

updates, pictures, and share our Page with your Facebook connections!www.facebook.com/thephilharmoniccommittees

The Search Goes OnThe Philharmonic House of Design,

under the year-round leadership of La Casa Committee, is a countywide fundraiser and by far The Committees major contributor of funds to our Youth Music Programs over the years. The Holiday House and House of Design together raised a total of over $260,000 in the 2017-18 fi scal year. The House of Design Steering Committee includes leadership from members of La Casa and other Committees. Tickets sold by our Committee members provided the largest source of income to the fundraisers. All Committees are thanked for their support!

The 2019 HOD search committee has not yet found a home. If anyone has a lead on a large home that might be appropriate, please contact Joanne atjoannelepoidevin4@gmail.com.

P resident’sC ornerby Mary Chelius, President of The Committees

Music has been an integral part of my life. As I think about The Committees, volunteering, and programs, these songs and thoughts came to mind:

“These Are A Few Of My Favorite (Phil) Things “Volunteers who sign up, show up, and share joy by:o Having a can-do attitude and a smileo Creating fundraising and organizing impromptu eventso Graciously extending hospitality for monthly meetingso Showing contagious enthusiasm that grows membershipo Enriching young lives with youth concerts, programs, and special

celebrationso Coordinating/running the spectacular Huntington Harbour Cruise of

Lights®

“Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart”Thankfulness and appreciation shown to:o The Executive Committee and Board of Directors’ leaders for their hours of

faithful serviceo The Philharmonic staff for their valuable assistance with treasurers, PR

communication, and marketing expertise o Tommy Phillips, our new President and Artistic Director, for his vision of

“building compelling connections between the artistic community and the stellar Philharmonic Society education programs.”

o Pre-concert lecturers for broadening concert experiences with fascinating anecdotes and short melodic clips

“The Beat Goes On”Our amazing opportunities for community engagement with:o The outstanding youth concerts and programs o High School Orchestra Festivalo Committee fundraiserso Continuing learning with Classical Music 101o Supporting a House of Design

“Amazing Grace”Quote To Take To Heart: “It’s amazing how much can be accomplished if no one cares who gets the credit.” John Woodeno “If only we would cease our own sometimes self-focused hustle and bustle

long enough to see where others need help.” Karen Ehman in Listen, Love, Repeat

Past President Marlene Nielsen presents Arden Dombrowski a “thank you” fall fl ower basket at Committees Kick Off for her eight years as Secre-tary on the Philharmonic Executive Committee.

Classical Music 101 by Nancy Warzer-Brady

The Philharmonic is presenting a new Classical Music 101 lecture and demonstration program in partnership with Classical KUSC, led by our pre-concert lecturer and award-winning host of Arts Alive, Brian Lauritzen. Join us for the

FREE program when it is launched on Sunday, January 20, 2019, from 10:30 am-12 noon in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Reserve your seat today: philharmonicsociety.org or call 949.553.2422.

Creating fundraising and organizing impromptu events

Showing contagious enthusiasm that grows membership

2018 House of Design chairmen and designers deserve our thanks! (Back) Sandi Wright-Cordes, Dea Stanuszek, Stacey Brettin, Elisabeth D’Ange-lo, Pamela Barthold, Kim Weddon, Laura Brophy, Deirdre Eagles (Front) John Henry Kaufman, Bill Elson, Leonardo Ostergren.

Big Canyon Spyglass Hill plans interesting events and speakers and were lucky to snag Gregg Schwenk, CEO and Executive Director of the Newport Beach Film Festival to speak at a luncheon. Gregg co-founded the NBFF nineteen years ago with Todd Quartararo, who today serves as Director of Marketing. We were told that the 2018 festival held the end of April screened over 350 fi lms from 50 different countries, hosted 25 spotlight and special events, as well as other interesting seminar programs.

Members obviously found great interest in the presentation because the expected twenty-minute Q&A ended up lasting forty-fi ve. Gregg nicely concluded with saying, “We are confi dent that you will fi nd our festival to be a celebration of fi lm as an art form as well as entertainment.”

The Committee held their 45th Annual Membership Tea at the lovely home of Eva Khwaja. To fully take advantage of the sparkling day, the event was held outside with a commanding view of the ocean. Suzanne Beukema and her catering entourage provided the perfect delectables to accompany the mandatory teas and wine. President Kari Kerr gave a welcoming speech to twenty-seven members and two new prospects, Ellen Reider and Gena Blount.

Also at the tea was Argyle, a puppy in training who was being exposed to Orange County social graces as a potential future member of “Guide Dogs for the Blind.” Owner Magaley Huether sat proudly at his side, knowing that one day he would be someone’s eyes and independence.

Committee News

Mission San Juan Capistrano Workshopby Jean Felder

The San Juan Capistrano Mission was the venue for a very productive workshop for the California Journeys Mission program. New Committee members interested in participating in the program and veteran docents gathered together for the session. Everyone was impressed by the information and tour given by Mission staff members Megan Dukett and Lucas Scofi eld. The program for fourth grade students is in its sixth year. We thank the Mission for this wonderful partnership.

There are two other California Journeys programs just beginning their seasons: Heritage Hill and the Bowers Museum. It is not too late to sign-up as a docent. Con-tact Kim Fix to help at Heritage Hill or Audrey White for the Bowers Museum.

Attending the workshop: (Back Row) Randi Kraemer, Marie Fries, Lori Armstrong, Kathy Wopschall, Susie Gallagher. Claudia Marek, Kim Fix, (Front Row) Nancy Warzer-Brady, Stephanie Artunian, Elaine Pierce, Megan Dukett, Marlene Nielsen, Kim Weddon, Pinky Clark, Judy Burns, Jean Felder. Not shown, but in attendance were Kathleen Petersen and Patty Reilly, photographer.

Harbour JuniorsGive Service

by Rachel Helgeson

Philharmonic Harbour Juniors part-nered with Surfrider Foundation on Sunday, October 7 for a Harbor cleanup. Over forty pounds of trash was collect-ed—as well as a dog rescued from the water. I call that a successful morning!

Janie Merkle, Gregg Schwenk and Margaret Clark at a BCSH luncheon.

Magaly Huether, Christel Schar and Eva Khwaja with Argyle, the guide dog.

Those having fun: Ethaniel Ramirez, Elijah Guptil, Sophia Dwyer, Heidi Maxson, Haley Forth, Lauren O’Donnell, Tommy Trommald, Jack Helgeson, Tana Savage, Aidan Murphy, Landon Gochman, Evans Henry, Lizzie Tullio, Ryann Christensen, Julia Chris-tensen, River Sentell, and advisor Rachel Helgeson.

Newport Beach Film Festival – A Celebration of Artby Margaret Clark

Saddleback Gives Backby Beth Ruegger

In keeping with the Saddleback Committee’s plan to support music programs in the Saddleback Unified School District, scholarship fund chairman Phyllis Berenbeim presented a check for $1,500 to Los Alisos Intermediate School. The Committee’s summer party donations, reinvestment funds, and other fundraising activities all contribute to this worthwhile effort.

This year’s summer party was held at the lovely Lake Forest home of Kim Fix. Kathy Wopschall and Kim planned a beautiful evening with great food, good company and wonderful music.

Upper Bay – Sixty-Two Years of Traditionsby France M-A Campbell

A few days before leaving for Houston last April, out-go-ing Society President John Mangum squeezed in a last friendly chat with members of Upper Bay Committee. He could not resist the orange cowboy hat as a souvenir of Orange County!

The Upper Bay mates followed Committee tradition for a skit at the Annual Meeting when they performed a cheery send-off at the installation of their own Mary Chelius as

President of The Committees. They proudly came in rowing their little dinghy while sing-ing, “An-

chors aweigh, my gals.” As usual, we started the year—

our sixty-second one!—as guests of Dr. Burton Karson who regaled us with a spirited lecture-perfor-mance about theme and melody in Schubert, Brahms, Chopin and Debussy. Lively discussions contin-ued afterwards during lunch.

November brought no tricks but a big treat when pipe organist Kristen Lawrence entertained us with stories

and examples about the creative and tech-nical processes involved in the production of her fourth album of original Hallow-een carols, Hallow,e’en: Night of Spirits. If Christmas has beautiful music, so should autumn!

< Guest speaker Kristen Lawrence, Rae Jean Ryan, and France Campbell.

(L to R) Front row: Marlene Nielsen, Elisabeth Varo, Leila Conlin, Kathy Hummell, Chip Little, France Campbell. Back row: Renate Collison, Mary Chelius, Suzan Berkley, Patty Clark, Eleanor Anderson, Judy Creely

John Mangum and France Campbell enjoy one final laugh before he headed to Houston.

Committees Volunteers and Czech Brass Ensemble celebrate first youth concert success!

Youth Concerts by Numbersby Patty Reilly

• 30,853 students attended Philharmonic youth concerts in 2017-2018.• 15,823 2nd graders had the opportu-nity to enjoy the Disneyland Band for the last time. • 11,501 attended the four 5th grade concerts at Segerstom Concert hall with the Philharmonic’s Orange County Youth Symphony Orchestra performing Hansel and Gretel. • 1,486 6th grade students saw the new concert “Jazz History is our History,” while 2,043 6th graders were entertained with the lively Taiko Project drummers.

We are able to provide this experience to school children to hear music and see it performed only because you, your spouses, and friends make this possible by volunteering your time and energy at the various youth concerts we provide, as well as supporting our Committees’ fundraisers.

On the right: Jean Felder, Randi Kraemer, Louella Syler, Cathy Kadison, John Park, Mary Park, Eric Kadison enjoy camaraderie at the summer party.

Music Mobile Workshopby Jean Felder

Jean Felder and Mary Parks once again enlisted the special talents of Bobbie Rooker to provide a hands-on demonstration and explanation on the proper presentation of the Music Mobile. Members are encouraged to volunteer with sharing the program in their school district.

ConcertC alendarMarc-André Hamelin, piano TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2019, 8PMRenée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall

Itzhak Perlman: In The Fiddler’s House THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2019, 8PMRenée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall

LA Phil with Jean-Yves Thibaudet SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2019, 3PMRenée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall

Professor Planethead’s Symphonic Space AdventureSATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 2019, 2PMRenée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall

LBMF Opening Night – Joyce YangFRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2019, 8PMLaguna Playhouse

LBMF Night 2 – Joyce YangSATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2019, 8PMLaguna Playhouse

LBMF Closing Concert – Joyce YangSUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2019, 3PMLaguna Playhouse

Kodo’s One Earth Tour: Evolution SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2019, 7PMRenée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall

Sir András Schiff, piano SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2019, 3PMSoka Performing Arts Center

Johannes Moser & Till Fellner WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2019, 8PMSamueli Theater

Susan Graham, mezzo-soprano WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2019, 8PMRenée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall

Russian National Orchestra THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019, 8PMRenée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall

Beatrice Rana, piano WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2019, 8PMRenée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall

All artists, dates, venues, programs, andprices are subject to change.

Percussion ($100-249)Carolyn and Matt Biller Randy and Kimberly Fix Jane and Greg Kriesel

Marlene and Chris NielsenLyn and John Pohlmann

Marcia Kay RadeletNick and Donna Shubin

Sharon SilcockGeorgia and P.J. Smith

Bruce and Patricia SpongbergSandra Steffens

Margaret Van EckAntranik and Vercin Zorayan

Friends (to $99)Pinky Clark

James and Alice HoodEthel D ReynoldsAnn ZimmermanElizabeth Meed

Music4Kids is a fund specifi cally designated for the support and expansion of the Philharmonic Society Committee’s free music education programs for youth.

Bobby Rooker demonstrates the Music Mobile program to volunteers at workshop.

Donations 9/30/18 – 12/12/2018We would like to thank you again!

Strings ($1,000 +)Karen and Philip Ridout

Toni and Hank SobelAgnes Szekeres

Brass ($500-999)Barbara Kilponen

Herb and Judy MichelKaryn Rashoff

Sumi JossiGary and Jan Lawrence

Woodwinds ($250-499)Linda and Bob Axel

Kathy and Michael Dogali Carol and Howard HayHH Admiralty Group

The Clarendon Woodwind Quintet entertained us at The Committees Kick-Off Celebration with Susan Fries (fl ute); Joe Stone (oboe); Stephanie Stetson (French horn); Rebecca Rivera (bassoon); and Lea Steffens (clarinet).

TributeDonations to the Philharmonic Society’s Tribute Fund are lasting, caring and generous ways to honor an individual’s accomplishments, mark special occasions or memorialize a member, relative or friend. Funds are used as needed for youth programs and scholarships to assist highly qualifi ed music students with their studies. Donations made to the Tribute Fund from September 25 through December 12, 2018, were:

FUN

D

In Loving Memory of:Dama Claire

HH Admiralty Group

Dorothy TaylorCameo Committee

Mel RichleyHusband of Ricki RichleyAlta Bahia Committee

Gordon NiedringhausHusband of Ann Niedringhaus

Ann Niedringhaus

Dr. James ThompsonHusband of Mary Thompson

HH Admiralty Group

A Special Tribute to:Dr. Burton Karson

Upper Bay Committee

Kristen LawrenceUpper Bay Committee

Mary Chelius watches as Allie Felder plays the Music Mobile percussion instruments at the Argyros Plaza fall celebration.

A Heartfelt Planby Sandy Potter

Shortly after Hurricane Harvey devastated areas in Houston in August 2017, Noam Elisha, a senior at Esperanza High School in the Placentia Yorba Linda Unifi ed School District and a member of the Orange County Youth Symphony Orchestra, initiated a plan to collect musical instruments no longer being used and send them to Houston. He had initially hoped to provide enough instruments for an entire orchestra. That didn’t quite come to fruition. However, he did obtain ten instruments including a violin, guitar, saxophone, and several clarinets and fl utes.

Noam then approached Nancy Warzer-Brady to ask the Philharmonic Society for help. Nancy contacted orchestra directors in the Placentia Yorba Linda Unifi ed School District to ask if anyone would be interested in giving the instruments a new home. She also approached the Fullerton Committee to assist with the project.

Matthew Fang, Orchestra Director of Travis Ranch Middle School, as well as Es-peranza High School where Noam was one of his students, said his middle school would be very happy to receive them. Travis Ranch, a California Distinguished Arts School, was excited about strengthening a collaborative bond with the Phil-harmonic Society.

Thus, on a warm summer day, members of the Fullerton Committee presented the instruments to Travis Ranch Middle School. This was a special moment for everyone. Noam is now at UC Berkeley studying engineering. We’ll make certain he knows his idea to pro-vide musical instruments is making one middle school very happy.

Susan Metcalf, Travis Ranch School Principal; Matthew Fang, Orchestra Director; Nick Nuss, Band Director; Fullerton Com-mittee members Maggie DuPuy, Masako Kawase, and Carole Reiner; and Nancy Warzer-Brady, Philharmonic VP Education and Community Outreach.

Santa Ana and Town and Country Committees Proudly Present

A Literary LuncheonNew York Times best-selling author, Janelle Brown

will discuss her book

“Watch Me Disappear”

Monday, January 21, 2019 at 11:00 amCosta Mesa Country Club

1701 Golf Course Drive, Costa Mesa

$65 per person

No-Host Bar Opportunity Prizes Silent Auction

Contact Judy Michel by January 11 for reservations. judysm15@gmail.com

January 19 – Philharmonic Family Concert – Professor Planethead’s Symphonic Space Adventure @ RHSCH (2pm)

January 20 – Classical Music 101 lecture with Brian Lauritzen @ RHSCH (10:30am)

January 21– Santa Ana and Town and Country Commit-tees “Literary Luncheon” @ Costa Mesa Country Club

February 16 – Saddleback Committee “Lunch and Laughter” @ Lake Forest Sun & Sail Club

March 9 – PSOC High School Orchestra Festival @ RHSCH (12pm-9pm)

March 12 – Annual Fund Workshop @ OCDE room D1004-1005

March14 – Alta Bahia Committee “Top ‘o The Morning” Luncheon @ Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club

March 31 – HHPC Juniors Fashion Show @ Seacliff Country Club

April 4 – Committees Night @ RHSCH | Australian Chamber Orchestra

April 5 – Cameo Committee “Luncheon Fashion Show” @ Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club

May 4 – HHPC “Attic Treasures” @ Huntington Harbour Place

May 22 – Committees Annual Meeting/Installation/Luncheon @ Tustin Ranch Golf Club

Philharmonic High SchoolOrchestra Festival

Saturday, March 9, 2019 1pm-9pmReneé and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall

$15 Tickets: Come and go during day

2019 Calendar of Events